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Interview with Deana Birch, Author of Love Repaired

What can you tell us about your new release, Love Repaired?

The seed for Love Repaired was planted in a Twitter chat between a few other Romance writers. I liked the idea of giving a female main character the nickname “Cupcake” and started to imagine reasons why she would be called that. It turned out to be a more emotional book for me, where I dug into the emotional wounds of family dynamics.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I never enjoyed creative writing when I was younger. I have an English minor but focused more on grammar and literature. I dabbled with blogging and poetry but one day, two characters popped into my head and wouldn’t leave me alone, so I wrote their story which turned out to be my first book Faster.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart and Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

What would you want to ask? I live in Europe and all of my writing buddies are in the states. So I would probably invite my favorite critique partner Amelia Foster to come on because I’ve never met her face to face. Then I would probably spend the entire time thanking her for all she’s done for me behind the scenes.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love writing dialogue. Sometimes I put down the entire conversation and then go back and fill in the inner thoughts and tags. I also like when I go back and edit and still find things in the book funny. There is always a touch of humor in my books.

What is a typical day like for you?

Depends on the day! I teach yoga twice a week and drive the mom taxi a lot. But on writing days, once the kids are out of the house and I’ve caught up on the news of the world, I make a pot of jasmine white tea and either write or edit for a few solid hours. Then once my CPs wake up in the states I usually spend a bit of time on social media. After lunch I have a smaller window until I need to mom again.

What scene in Love Repaired was your favorite to write?

The last one! I knew that Amee and Ben needed their HEA and I spent a lot of time thinking about how to balance giving them both what they needed and wanted. The theme that Ben didn’t want anything monetary from Amee was important to bring back, but also that Amee truly understood how to make him happy. The idea literally popped into my head about 75% into writing the first draft and I knew it would be their perfect ending. I’d say more but I don’t want to give it away.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

"You can’t change people, you can only change the way you react to them."

Deana Birch is the author of the new book Love Repaired.

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Interview with Amy-Brooke Odell, Author of Silo Boys

What can you tell us about your new release, Silo Boys?

Silo Boys is a Young Adult Suspense that tells a crushing story of death and loss, set deep in South Carolina in the nineties.

Two years ago, three boys enter an abandoned silo. By morning, one was dead, one missing, and the third boy says he was never there.

Addy Marks is trying to move on after the tragedy that took the life of one of her best friends and resulted in the disappearance of her boyfriend. When her boyfriend returns, only to be murdered before she can speak to him, Addy is forced to face her anxiety and distrust as she vows to uncover what really happened that Sunday night at the silo. Addy finds a truth so devastating that her life will never again be the same.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I think it was a combination of people. I’ve always loved telling stories but thought writing was out of reach. I had amazing English and Theatre teachers who were so encouraging and inspiring but I was always missing that confidence that could push me forward. Then I had my son and giving birth was the hardest thing that I have ever done and one day I realized, if I can do this; give birth, be a mother, then I can do anything! With all of these ideas in my head, and the encouragement from my husband, there was no looking back and I have loved every minute of my writing life.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Burying the Honeysuckle Girls by Emily Carpenter
The Complete Miss Marple Short Stories by Agatha Christie

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Can it be anyone dead or alive? Because I would love to get a glimpse of Natalie Babbitt’s imagination! I would want to ask where the inspiration for all of her amazing stories came from.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I think it’s those moments where something from my life ends up on the pages. Little things; some small, tucked away, memory from childhood, a day with a friend or some everyday errand with my husband, I’m always surprised when those random anecdotes pop up on the page.

What is a typical day like for you?

My typical day starts with getting up ridiculously early in order to grab some quiet time to write and do yoga before my son wakes. We spend our mornings at the park, the pool, with friends, or in toddler classes depending on the day. I write while he naps. My husband gets off work shortly after nap time so we spend our evenings together with our son and dog. Right now, my entire schedule revolves around my son and I love it.

What scene in Silo Boys was your favorite to write?

I really enjoyed writing the reveal. It was both challenging and satisfying to finally be able to explain what is happening.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I’m not sure who originated it but I love the quote “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.”

Amy-Brooke Odell is the author of the new book Silo Boys.

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | July 30

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Amy-Brooke Odell, Catherine Coulter, Megan Goldin, Jack Carr, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | July 30

Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Willow Winters, Deana Birch, Mila Ferrara, Melissa Storm, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!

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New Books to Read in Literary Fiction | July 30

Literary fiction readers are in for a treat. This week’s latest releases list is full of intriguing reads you won’t want to miss! The new releases list includes so many bestselling authors like Fiona Davis, Miciah Bay Gault, Richard Russo, Kalisha Buckhanon, and many more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!

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New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books | July 30

Set off on an adventure to new worlds this week! This selection of new science fiction and fantasy books will surely please! Science Fiction fans should be excited about the latest from bestselling authors Emmanuel M. Arriaga, Pierce Brown, Glynn Stewart, and more. If Fantasy is what your library needs, you’ll be able to pick up the latest from Natalie Grey, Michael Anderle, Dima Zales, and more. Enjoy your new science fiction and fantasy books. Happy reading!

Science Fiction

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Fantasy

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New Young Adult Books to Read | July 30

Are you an avid reader of Young Adult books? This week you are in luck! With all of these new novels, you’re bound to find a new favorite book to add to your reading list. This week includes new novels from bestselling authors Margaret Owen, David Kreizman, Rebecca Kim Wells, A.M. Deese, and many more. Enjoy your new young adult books. Happy reading!

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New Biography and Memoir Books to Read | July 30

Looking for some new biography and memoir books for your library? There are so many new releases this week that you’re bound to find a new favorite. You can pick up new novels from Ben Folds, John C. MacManus, Liz Astroff, and more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!

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Interview with Melissa Storm, author of Flirting with the Fashionista

What can you tell us about your new release, Flirting with the Fashionista?

Really the biggest thing I could say is that representation matters in all aspects of art, whether it's movies, models, or books. That’s why I was so excited to write a love story for a plus-sized woman like me. In Flirting with the Fashionista, plus-sized fashion designer, Ruby Ross, is wooed by fitness spokesmodel and heir to an empire, Brandon Price. In the end, it’s Brandon who must prove he is worthy of her. Also there’s a super cute Corgi sidekick!

Which book from your childhood or teenage years has stuck with you as an adult?

Some of my favorites that have endured the years are A Prayer for Owen Meany, Jane Eyre, the Harry Potter series, and—of course—Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

Well, I guess my favorite would have to be Edward and Bella from Twilight. Just kidding!
I love Jane and Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre. Opposites attract is definitely my favorite romance trope, which is why I often choose to write them myself.

What's on your writing desk and What's your spirit animal?

I'm going to answer these two together, because my spirit animal is also usually on my writing desk. I keep two pet beds on my table where my two chihuahuas sit with me as I work. My spirit animal—much to my husband's dismay—is my little tricolor chihuahua that my five-year-old daughter named Sky Princess.

What scene in Flirting with the Fashionista was your favorite to write?

This book had a lot of big grand romantic gestures. I think I may have broken some kind of record, seriously! One of my favorites, though, is when Brandon arranges a long-distance dinner date for the two of them. He also makes sure to send a specially prepared meal for Ruby’s corgi, and everyone knows the way to a girl’s heart is through her fur baby!

Melissa Storm is the author of the new book Flirting with the Fashionista.

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Interview with Emmanuel M Arriaga, author of Foundra

What can you tell us about your new release, Foundra?

Foundra is a sci-fi coming of age story following a young genius named Neven. Neven has a perfect life before he meets up with the immortal Lanrete. Overnight, he goes from a comfortable life in the lab to fighting to save the galaxy from annihilation by extra-dimensional beings. He’s forced to become a Secnic, or combat engineer, where he operates massive power armors on the front lines alongside an elite team of heroes from across the galaxy. Neven learns to kill and discovers that he’s remarkably good at it, but that reality weighs on him even as the galaxy is crumbling to pieces around him.

What books are currently on your night stand?

I’m currently reading through “Fall” by Neal Stephenson. I recently finished “The Mistborn Trilogy” and am patiently awaiting the final book of “The Expanse” series.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Don’t let fear guide your decisions. Read up on the work of Carol Dweck and pick up the books “Mindset” and “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” as soon as they become available.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

I’d spend more time working on my novels. My wife and I have an infant son who takes up a good chunk of my time nowadays. My writing time has been cut moderately which has delayed some of my novel plans.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My family and my faith. The relationships and community are a core part of who I am and have made me a better person and a better writer.

What scene in Foundra was your favorite to write?

There is an epic space battle that takes place later in the novel where Lanrete’s military forces are up against seemingly impossible odds to protect this planet filled with civilians. It’s this very tense moment where the characters realize they won’t be able to save everyone, but they go in with high hopes that they can turn the tide of the battle. It was a very emotional section for me to write and I think it may hit a few readers in the same way.